Frankfurt am Main, 19 February 2020. – School students will be able to see for themselves how a Formula 1 racing car is created in the Special Youth Show at this year's METAV in Düsseldorf from 10 to 13 March 2020. Together with various partners, the Youth Education and Development Foundation for Mechanical Engineering (NWS) will be presenting the full production chain of these model cars. The latest technologies, such as computer-controlled lathes and milling machines or automated measuring instruments, will be used. Trainees from the partner companies will be machining the individual parts of the racing car live at the event and be on hand to answer students' questions about their vocational training. "We think it's important for the young people to get involved and try things out, as this is the only way for them to gain a genuine insight into Industry 4.0," explains Andre Wilms, NWS North Manager and responsible for the Special Show.
Training 4.0 for tomorrow's world of work
Preparing the skilled workers of the future for the digitalised world of work is a key aim of the Youth Education and Development Foundation for Mechanical Engineering. One such example is the Mobile Learning in Smart Factories (MLS) online platform developed by the Foundation, which facilitates digital learning in vocational training. The platform is also used in the NRWgoes.digital training drive initiated by the Youth Education and Development Foundation for Mechanical Engineering. Aimed at trainees, training staff and teachers, the purpose of the drive is to digitalise the dual work/training scheme.
Visitors can find out how the MLS platform is structured and functions on the 600 square metre Special Youth Show stand (G29-1) in Hall 5. "Talking to our partners on the stand is certainly a further major benefit," adds Wilms. This gives those interested a concrete impression of what it's really like to work in the industry.
Coming together to inspire a passion for technology
The Special Youth Show has become an integral part of the VDW trade fairs, and many of the partners have been lending it their support over the years. Michael Eisler, managing partner at Weiler Werkzeugmaschinen, Emskirchen, explains his motivation: "What we all have in common is the goal of inspiring the next generation to pursue a career in mechanical engineering." "We agree – and we're delighted with the format of the Special Show, which features hands-on technology presentations," adds Dr. Jan Braasch, Marketing Manager at Dr. Johannes Heidenhain, Traunreut.
In addition to technology, the partner companies are also featuring other elements designed to attract young people's interest. These include a DISC personality test by Antes International, which helps potential engineers to determine their strengths and inclinations. "DISC" stands for Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C), representing the four basic personality types.
Other partners of the METAV Special Youth Show include Autodesk, Munich, DMG Mori, Bielefeld, Emco, Magdeburg, the University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf, Paul Horn, Tübingen, Renishaw, Pliezhausen, Siemens, Erlangen and SolidCAM, Schramberg.
For further information, please contact Andre Wilms, North Manager, Youth Education and Development Foundation for Mechanical Engineering, Tel. +49 5205 74 2555, email andre.wilms@mws-mb.de
Picture caption: Young visitors can explore the exciting careers offered by mechanical engineering and experience the latest technologies at first hand on the Special Youth Show stand. Photo: Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann
About the Foundation
Sponsored by the VDMA and VDW, the Youth Education and Development Foundation for Mechanical Engineering was founded in 2009 and has offices in Frankfurt am Main, Bielefeld and Tübingen. It is dedicated to the recruitment and further training of young people in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. The main focuses of the Foundation's work are on providing advice, offering initial and further training to trainers and teachers, and forging close links between the worlds of business, education and politics. The Youth Education and Development Foundation for Mechanical Engineering works with 675 companies from the engineering sector. It has a network of 382 vocational schools, and more than 7,050 participants have taken part in its training programmes. Over 125,000 students and their teachers have received information on career opportunities and on the latest engineering industry developments at the major industry trade fairs - the Hanover Fair, METAV in Düsseldorf, EMO Hanover and AMB in Stuttgart.
